Matzie: $250,000 grant will support urban and community forestry programs in Beaver County and the region
Rep. Robert F. Matzie October 8, 2026 | 12:13 PM
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 8 – A $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will fund urban and community forestry projects benefiting Beaver County and western Pennsylvania, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said the funding to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will allow it to expand its forestry and tree planting programs and build tree stewardship capacity throughout the region.
"The conservancy's programs that engage residents in tree planting and stewardship help our community by strengthening stormwater management, improving water and air quality, providing critical habitat for wildlife and much more," Matzie said. The conservancy plans to continue those efforts by planting thousands of additional native tree species.
"Beyond the environmental benefits, these programs give residents hands-on experience that can be a springboard to jobs in park maintenance, conservation, forestry, landscaping, arboriculture and dozens of other careers. The new funding will support and strengthen those programs, and our region will reap the benefits."
Matzie said the programs will support the conservancy's work in Beaver as well as Allegheny, Armstrong, Blair, Cambria, Erie, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
The funding comes from DCNR's Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports state parks, conservation and outdoor recreation.
More information about the ESF and other Community Conservation Partnership Program funding sources is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/grants/grant-funding-sources.